Suction cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A suction cleaner comprises a primary cleaner (1) and an auxiliary cleaner (2). The primary cleaner 1 includes a fan (11) for sucking in air, and an air channel (6,7,9) disposed upstream of the fan for directing sucked air through the primary cleaner. The auxiliary cleaner (2) includes a dust collection chamber (20) and is attachable to the primary cleaner (1) with the dust collection chamber connected to the air channel (6,7,9) such that, in use, dust within the dust collection chamber is drawn into the air channel for collection.

This invention relates to a suction cleaner, and in particular to asuction cleaner comprising a primary cleaner and an auxiliary cleanerattachable to the primary cleaner.

This invention also relates to a suction cleaner of the type comprisinga housing having a dust container and filter, the dust container beingconnected to an inlet opening and to a motor-fan unit such that themotor-fan unit creates an air flow via the inlet opening into the dustcontainer and through the filter to atmosphere. Dirt carried by the airflow is separated from the air flow and retained in the dust containerby the filter.

A conventional suction cleaner is disclosed in British patentspecification 2 126 471 (hereafter referred to as '471). This suctioncleaner is a combination of an upright vacuum cleaner and a hand-heldsuction cleaner. The upright cleaner has a rigid housing, the rigidhousing having a pocket in which the hand-held suction cleaner isreceived. The hand-held cleaner is an accessary for the upright cleaner.This arrangement has a number of disadvantages. For example, when thehand-held cleaner is used, dust is collected in a dust chamber withinthe hand-held cleaner; and, when the upright cleaner is used, dust iscollected in a dust collection bag within the upright cleaner. It is,therefore, necessary to empty two different dust containers instead ofone. The dust collection bag of the upright cleaner is normallydisposable, so that dust collected therein is disposed of withoutspillage. The hand-held cleaner does not include a disposable dust bag,having instead a collection chamber and a dust filter disposed betweenthe collection chamber and the fan. To empty the collection chamber, thefilter is removed, and the collected dust shaken out. This can result inspillage of the dust.

If both the upright cleaner and the hand-held cleaner are mains powered,it is either necessary to include two separate power cables or toinclude a single power cable which may be selectively plugged into oneor other cleaner. In this latter case, if the upright cleaner is pushedso that the power cable is pulled tight, the power cable will fall outof the upright cleaner and the cleaner will stop.

'471 suggests that the hand-held cleaner be battery operated usingrechargeable batteries. In this case, if the hand-held cleaner is to berecharged through the upright cleaner, it is necessary to keep theupright cleaner plugged into the mains, even when stored.

Suction cleaners of the type having a motor-fan unit which causes an airflow through the inlet opening into the dust container and through thefilter to atmosphere whereby dirt carried by the air flow is separatedfrom the air flow and retained in the dust container by the filter arewell known. Such cleaners exist in several forms, for example, as aconventional so-called canister cleaner, that is a suction cleaner wherethe inlet opening is disposed at the end of a hose, the other end ofwhich is connected to a separate housing containing the motor fan unitand the dust container. Another form of suction cleaner is an uprightcleaner, that is a suction cleaner where the inlet opening, the dustcontainer, the motor fan unit and the handle are combined into one unit.Smaller hand-held units are also known which, in some cases, includerotating brushes in the inlet opening. The hand-held units are oftenpowered by rechargeable batteries, but mains power units are also quitecommon.

Hand-held units are used because they are easy to handle, particularlywhen carrying out temporary or very brief cleaning work to collect dust,crumbs, spilled liquids or the like from a surface. These hand-heldcleaners are usually emptied by removing the dust container, sometimestogether with the filter, from the housing, after which the filter isseparated from the dust container and the collected dirt is emptied intoa waste bin before the filter and the dust container are reassembled.Since the dust container has a small volume, usually in the range of 0.5to 10 dl, it must be emptied quite often if the vacuum cleaner is usedregularly, which means a cumbersome and dirty task.

A suction cleaner according to a first aspect of the invention comprisesa primary cleaner including an air channel and a fan for sucking air anddust into the primary cleaner via the air channel; and a wheel-less,hand-held auxiliary cleaner for above-the-floor cleaning, the auxiliarycleaner having a dust collection chamber and being attachable to theprimary cleaner in such a manner that the dust collection chamber of theauxiliary cleaner is in communication with the primary cleaner via theair channel whereby dust within the dust collection chamber is drawninto the air channel of the primary cleaner for collection.

This allows cleaners to be manufactured having an auxiliary cleanerwhich an operator does not need to empty separately from the primarycleaner.

In this context, a hand-held cleaner is a unit which is lightweight andsmall in size when compared with an upright-type cleaner or`cylinder-type` cleaner. The hand-held cleaner is used for cleaningupholstery, curtains, car interiors, stairs and the like.

The auxiliary cleaner preferably includes a valve for retaining dustwithin the dust collection chamber, and the primary cleaner preferablyincludes means for opening the valve when the auxiliary cleaner isattached to the primary cleaner. The opening means would typically be aspigot disposed in the air channel for pushing the valve open when theauxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner. The dust, istherefore, released from the dust collection chamber when the auxiliarycleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.

A particularly useful feature which may be incorporated is the inclusionof a second port opening into the dust collection chamber of theauxiliary cleaner such that, when the cleaner is used as an uprightcleaner, the dust collection chamber forms part of the air channel, andall dust collected by the upright cleaner passes through the dustcollection chamber before being collected in the primary cleaner.

Advantageously, the primary cleaner includes a collection receptacledisposed between the air channel and the fan. This permits an operatorto empty dust collected by both the primary cleaner and the auxiliarycleaner from a single collection receptacle which is typically adisposable collection bag.

Conveniently, the auxiliary cleaner includes a handle which, when theauxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner, constitutes ahandle for the primary cleaner, so that the same handle is used for boththe primary cleaner and the auxiliary cleaner, thus saving materialcosts and resulting in compact storage of the auxiliary cleaner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theprimary cleaner includes a power receiving terminal, and the auxiliarycleaner includes a power source for supplying power to the auxiliarycleaner and a power supplying terminal connectable to the powerreceiving terminal of the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner. isattached thereto.

The power source may be a power supply cable, a socket for receiving apower supply cable, or a rechargeable battery. In each of these cases,the auxiliary cleaner may be used without any restriction caused by theprimary cleaner. The auxiliary cleaner preferably includes a powertransfer device for delivering power from the power source to theprimary cleaner alone when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to theprimary cleaner. This means that only a single power supply is requiredto operate both the primary and auxiliary cleaners. Normally, thetransfer device is operable to deliver power from the power source tothe auxiliary alone when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to theprimary cleaner. A common switch can then be used to operate both theprimary and auxiliary cleaners.

A suction cleaner according to a second aspect of the inventioncomprises a primary cleaner including a body, an air channel and a fanfor sucking air and dust into the primary cleaner via the air channel,and an auxiliary cleaner having a dust collection chamber, the auxiliarycleaner being mountable on the body of the primary cleaner in such amanner that the dust collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner is incommunication with the primary cleaner via the air channel whereby, inuse, dust within the dust collection chamber is drawn into the airchannel of the primary cleaner for collection.

Such a cleaner is compact, and where the primary cleaner is an uprightcleaner, the functions of the primary and auxiliary cleaners complimenteach other. It would also be cheaper for a consumer to buy the abovetype of cleaner than separate primary and auxiliary cleaners.

The various advantageous features described above in connection with thefirst aspect of the invention also apply to the second aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a suction cleanercomprises a housing having a dust container and a filter, the dustcontainer being connected to an inlet opening and to a motor-fan unitsuch that operation of the motor-fan unit creates an air flow via theinlet opening into the dust container and through the filter toatmosphere, whereby dirt carried by the air flow is separated from theair flow and retained in the dust container by the filter, the cleanerincluding an emptying opening for attachment to a vacuum source wherein,the suction cleaner is arranged such that, during emptying, the dirt iscarried through the emptying opening in a stream of air entering thedust container via at least one of the inlet opening and the motor-fanunit. This aspect of the invention is particularly applicable tohand-held cleaners, although it is not restricted to such cleaners.

Several forms of suction cleaner, each of which is constructed inaccordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first form of suction cleanerwhich is constituted by an upright cleaner and a hand-held cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of part of the hand-held cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of part of the hand-held cleaner of FIG. 1attached to the upright cleaner;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a modified version of the first form ofsuction cleaner, in which a hand-held cleaner is attached to an uprightcleaner;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a second form of suction cleaner, in whichthe primary cleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a third form of suction cleaner, in whichthe primary cleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through a fourth form of suction cleanerwhich is a hand-held cleaner carried on a carrier which is mounted on awall; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical section through the lower part of a fifth form ofcleaner which is a hand-held suction cleaner supported in a particulartype of carrier.

Referring to FIG. 1, the suction cleaner includes an upright suctioncleaner 1 and a hand-held, wheel-less auxiliary suction cleaner 2attached to the upright cleaner. The hand-held cleaner 2 includes ahandle 13 which also forms the handle of the upright cleaner 1.

When the hand-held cleaner 2 is attached to the upright cleaner 1, asshown in FIG. 1, the upright cleaner may be used in substantially thesame way as a conventional cleaner.

A switch 14, disposed on the hand-held cleaner 2 adjacent to the handle13, controls operation of the upright cleaner 1 when the hand-heldcleaner is attached, and controls operation of the hand-held cleanerwhen detached. A power cable 19 extends from the hand-held cleaner 2. Anadvantage of this cleaner is that only a single handle, a single switchand single power cable are required, thus keeping manufacturing costsdown, and keeping operation of the cleaner simple.

When the hand-held cleaner 2 is detached from the upright cleaner 1, thehand-held cleaner may be used to clean stairs, chairs, curtains, flooredging, car interiors and the like.

The upright cleaner 1 includes a base unit 3 having ground wheels orrollers 15, a suction opening 4 confronting the floor to be cleaned, arotary beater 5 disposed in the suction opening for beating the regionof the floor confronting the suction opening in order to dislodge dustand the like, and a first air duct 6 through which dust is drawn fromthe suction opening.

A rigid, upright body 16 is pivotally mounted on the base unit 3. Whenthe upright body 16 is disposed in a substantially vertical position asshown in FIG. 1, the upright body is latched for storage. In use, theupright body 16 is reclined so that the base unit 3 may be pushed alongthe floor. The upright body 16 includes a second air duct 7 which isconnected to the first air duct 6, and through which dust is sucked fromthe first air duct. The second air duct 7 delivers the dust-laden airinto an air permeable dust collection bag 8 disposed within a dustcompartment 9. The upright body 16 also includes a suction fan 11 and amotor (not shown) for driving the suction fan. The suction fan 11 sucksair from the dust compartment 9 through a first filter 10, and exhaustsair to atmosphere via a second filter 12. The motor also drives therotary beater 5 through a drive belt 17. The first air duct 6, thesecond air duct 7, and the dust compartment 9 are all disposed at thelow pressure side of the suction fan 11, and together constitute an airchannel through which air sucked by the fan passes.

The second air duct 7 includes a port 18 which opens to atmosphere andwhich is shaped to receive the auxiliary hand-held cleaner 2 with an airtight seal. Thus, air cannot enter the second duct 7 from the atmospherebetween the surface of the port 18 and the hand-held cleaner 2 while theupright cleaner 1 is in use. The upright body 16 further includes asupport 30 on which the hand-held auxiliary cleaner 2 is supported. Thesupport 30 includes a finger 29 which engages with the hand-heldauxiliary cleaner 2 when carried on the upright cleaner 1 to support andassist in locating the hand-held cleaner on the upright cleaner.

The hand-held auxiliary cleaner 2 includes a dust collection mouth 31through which dust is drawn, a dust collection chamber 20 for collectingthe dust, a fan and motor unit 22 for generating suction, and a dustfilter 21, disposed between the dust collection chamber and the fan andmotor unit for retaining dust within the dust collection chamber.

The hand-held cleaner 2 includes a valve 23 disposed in the collectionmouth 31 for retaining dust within the dust collection chamber 20 whenthe hand-held cleaner is held upright with the collection mouthlowermost. The valve 23 is a flap which is pivotally mounted formovement about a fulcrum 25 (see FIG. 2), and is biassed towards aclosed position closing the collection mouth. When the fan and motorunit 22 is switched on, the suction generated opens the valve 23 so thatdust may be collected.

The collection mouth 31 of the hand-held cleaner 2 and the valve 23arrangement are shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows anend of the hand-held cleaner 2 separated from the upright cleaner 1 butnot switched on. The valve 23 is, therefore, in a closed positionagainst a stop 24.

FIG. 3 shows the hand-held cleaner 2 inserted into the port 18 of theupright cleaner 1. The port 18 includes a spigot 26 which extends intothe port. When the hand-held cleaner 2 is inserted into the port 18, thespigot 26 passes through the collection mouth 31 to deflect the valve 23against the bias into its open position. Dust held within the dustcollection chamber 20 is then released to fall into the duct 7 of theupright cleaner 1.

The next time that the upright cleaner 1 is used, the dust which hasfallen into the duct 7, and any remaining dust within the dustcollection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 withinthe dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner. It is, therefore,unnecessary to empty the hand-held cleaner 2 separately from the dustcollection bag 8 of the upright cleaner. Furthermore, the hand-heldcleaner 2 has no permanent connection with the upright cleaner 1, and soit may be used fully independently of the upright cleaner.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power cable 19 is connected tothe hand-held unit 2. The cable 19 passes power through the switch 14before reaching a power transfer unit 27. The power transfer unit 27connects mains power either to the fan and motor unit 22 within thehand-held cleaner 2 when the hand-held cleaner is removed from theupright cleaner 1, or to the upright cleaner when the hand-held cleaneris attached to the upright cleaner.

The power transfer unit 27 includes a microswitch 28 which is closed bythe finger 29 extending from the support 30 of the upright cleaner 1.When the microswitch 28 is closed, the power transfer unit 27 directspower to the upright cleaner 1 through a set of contacts (not shown)similar to those found on cordless kettles.

An advantage of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is that a powerful mainspowered motor may be used in the hand-held cleaner 2 without thenecessity for bulky and heavy batteries.

The hand-held cleaner 2 and the upright cleaner 1 each includecorresponding parts (not shown) of a latching mechanism for holding thehand-held cleaner 2 securely on the upright cleaner 1. A release buttonmight be included on either cleaner 1, 2 for releasing the latchingmechanism.

Cleaning tools (not shown) are intended to be sold with a suctioncleaner of the type described. For example, a crevice tool may beattached to the collection mouth 31 of the hand-held cleaner 2. Suchtools may be carried on the body of the upright cleaner 1.

In a modified version of this cleaner, the hand-held cleaner 2 could bepowered by a re-chargeable battery, in which case only the uprightcleaner 1 would be mains powered through a mains power cable. In thiscase, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which,when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connectsto the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it. Alternatively, therecharger base unit may be separate from the upright cleaner 1 so thatrecharging may take place near a mains socket.

FIG. 4 shows part of a modified cleaner of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to3. As this cleaner is configured in substantially the same way as thatshown in FIGS. 1 to 3, like reference numerals will be used for likeparts and only the modifications will be described in detail.

The second air duct 7 does not lead directly to the dust collection bag(not shown), but does include a port 18 into which the hand-held cleaner2 is inserted. The upright cleaner 1 includes a third air duct 7A whichleads to the dust collection bag.

The hand-held cleaner 2 includes a collection mouth 31 similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1 to 3, with a valve 23 pivotable about a fulcrum 25 andbiassed towards the collection mouth 31 so as to close the mouth. Aswill become clear below, a spigot is not required to open the valve 23.

The dust collection chamber 20 includes a second port 31A and a secondvalve 23A which is able to close the second port. The second valve 23Ais biassed towards its closed position, and includes a lip 23B. As thehand-held cleaner 2 is inserted into the port 18 of the upright cleaner1, the lip 23B of the second valve 23A engages with the body of theupright cleaner and is opened. The third air duct 7A of the uprightcleaner 1 includes an inlet 7B which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 isfully inserted in the port 18 of the upright cleaner 1, is aligned withthe open second port 31A of the hand-held cleaner 2. Thus, the dustcollection chamber 20 of the hand-held cleaner 2 forms part of the airchannel of the upright cleaner 1. When the upright cleaner 1 is switchedon, the fan (not shown) draws air and dust from the suction opening ofthe base unit (not shown) of the upright cleaner through the first airduct (not shown) into the second air duct 7. The flow of air deflectsthe valve 23 of the hand-held cleaner 2 into its open position, and thedust laden air passes into the dust collection chamber 20 of thehand-held cleaner. The air carries the dust from the suction opening ofthe base unit and any dust already collected in the dust collectionchamber 20 of the hand-held cleaner 2 through the second port 31A intothe third air duct 7A, and thence into the dust collection bag disposedwithin the dust compartment of the upright cleaner 1.

When the hand-held cleaner 2 is removed from the upright cleaner 1, thesecond valve 23A closes the second port 31A so that the cleaner can beused in the same way as is described in connection with the cleaner ofFIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 shows the second form of suction cleaner, in which the primarycleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner. In this specification, the term"cylinder-type cleaner" refers to a suction cleaner of the typeincluding a body and a collection hose extending from the body, an endof the hose remote from the body being used for cleaning. Thecylinder-type cleaner 40 shown in FIG. 5 has a body 41, a fan unit 42disposed in the body and a collection hose 44 for leading dust into thebody for collection. A nozzle 43 is disposed at the end of the hose 44remote from the cleaner 40. A hand-held cleaner 45 is attachable to thenozzle 43 of the hose 44. The hand-held cleaner 45 includes a dustcollection chamber 46, a fan unit 47, a collection mouth 48 and a valve49 disposed in the collection mouth for retaining dust in the collectionchamber 46. A port 50 opens into the collection chamber 46 for entry ofthe nozzle 43 into the collection chamber. When the nozzle 43 is removedfrom the port 50, a flap 51 closes the port. The hand-held cleaner 45includes a mains lead 52 so that, when disconnected from the nozzle 43,it may be used independently for cleaning stairs and the like. The fanunit 47 draws dust laden air through the collection mouth 48 into thecollection chamber 46 where the dust is collected.

The cylinder-type cleaner 40 may be used independently of the hand-heldcleaner 45, or the hand-held cleaner may be attached to the nozzle 43 sothat the hand-held cleaner acts as a cleaning tool. Dust laden air maythen be sucked through the hand-held cleaner 45, and any dust alreadycollected by the hand-held cleaner is sucked into the cylinder-typecleaner 40 for central collection. When the hand-held cleaner 45 isattached to the cylinder type cleaner 40, the fan unit 42 in thecylinder type cleaner is used alone to collect dust.

FIG. 6 shows the third form of suction cleaner. This cleaner is similarto the cleaner of FIG. 5, so like reference numerals will be used forlike parts, and only the modifications will be described in detail.Thus, the hand-held cleaner 45 is attachable directly to the collectionhose 44 at an end remote from the cylinder-type cleaner 40. Moreover, apassage 50' opens into the hand-held cleaner 45, the passage being incommunication with the dust collection chamber 46. When the collectionhose 44 is removed from the passage 50', it is closed by the flap 51.

The hand-held cleaner 45 includes a switch 58 for operation of the fanunit 47. The auxiliary cleaner 45 also includes a power transfer unit 57which, when the auxiliary cleaner 45 is attached to the collection hose45 of the primary cleaner 40 connects mains power to the primarycleaner. The switch 58 is closed when the collection hose 46 is insertedinto the passage 50' of the auxiliary cleaner 45. The primary cleaner 40includes a power cord 56 which follows the collection hose 45 to connectthe fan unit 42 of the primary cleaner 40 to the power transfer unit 57of the auxiliary cleaner 45. In this way, when the primary cleaner 40 isto be used, the auxiliary cleaner 45 must be attached to the collectionhose 44, and the primary cleaner is controlled by the switch 58 disposedon the auxiliary cleaner. Upon activation of the switch 58, the fan unit42 is operated to suck dust through the collection mouth 48 of theauxiliary cleaner 45, through the auxiliary cleaner and through thecollection hose 44. Furthermore, during this mode of operation, anydebris collected within the collection chamber 46 is sucked into theprimary cleaner 40 via the passage 50' and the collection hose 44. Inthis mode of operation, the fan unit 47 within the auxiliary cleaner 45is not operated. The auxiliary cleaner 45, therefore, acts as a cleaningtool and as a handle of the primary cleaner 40. For convenience, theswitch 58 operates the primary cleaner 40. Dust laden air may then besucked through the hand-held cleaner 45.

Various tools may be attached to the hand-held cleaners 45 of FIGS. 5and 6. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, a rigid extension tube 53 is attachableto the collection mouth 48 of the hand-held cleaner 45 by pushing aflared end of the extension tube over the collection mouth. Afloor-engaging tool 54 is attached to the opposite end of the extensiontube 53, the floor engaging tool having a suction opening 55 which issuitable for applying suction to a floor. A rotatable brush (not shown)may be located in the suction opening 55 for disturbing dust from thearea of the floor confronting the suction opening. Such a brush might bepowered by a turbine driven by the airflow passing through the floorengaging tool 54.

The hand-held auxiliary cleaner 45 is attachable to the body 41 of theprimary cleaner 40. The handle of the hand-held cleaner 45 then formsthe handle of the body.

A shown in FIG. 7, the battery-powered suction cleaner 110 comprises ahousing 111 consisting of front and rear parts 111a and 111brespectively. The rear part 111b encloses a motor-fan unit 112 which,via electrical conductors (not shown) and various electronic componentsare controlled by a switch 113 positioned adjacent a handle 114 disposedon the housing 111. The outlet side of the fan, which is part of themotor-fan unit 112 communicates via openings 115 in the housing 111 withthe atmosphere.

The front part 111a of the housing is shaped to form a container 111c inwhich dirt particles are collected, and can be removed from the rearpart 111b in a manner not shown. The front part 111a includes a nozzlehaving an inlet opening 116 and a tube 117 leading into the body of thecontainer 111c from the inlet opening 416. The inner end of the tube 117is closed by a flap 118, preferably of rubber, one edge of which isfixed close to the inner end of the tube 117 so that the flap 118 canserve as a check valve. The front part 111a also supports a filter 119for separating particles of dirt from the air which flows through thecontainer 111c, this filter being removable from the front part 111awhen the front and rear parts 111a, 111b have been separated from eachother. Alternatively, the filter could instead be fastened to the rearpart 111b. The front part 111a also has an emptying opening 120 which isnormally closed by a cover 121 pivotally fastened to the outside of thefront part 111a. The opening 120 has a shape such that a tubular nozzle122 or other accessory belonging to a separate suction cleaner, notshown, can be connected to the emptying opening 120. Preferably theemptying opening is shaped with a truncated conical sleeve or flange sothat nozzles of different sizes can be connected to the emptyingopening.

The front and rear parts 111a and 111b are separated by a partition wall123 having a central inlet part 124 through which the air flows from thecontainer 111c to the fan in the motor-fan unit 112.

Battery-powered hand-held suction cleaners are normally stored on acarrier such as is shown in the drawing. The carrier 125 includes a hook126 and includes a battery charger 127 which is connected to a mainspower socket and transmits charging energy via electrical contact means128 to a battery 129 disposed within the rear part 111b of the suctioncleaner.

The device shown in FIG. 7 operates as follows. The suction cleaner 110is removed from the carrier 125, and the cover 121 is closed in itsnormal position over the emptying opening 120. The-motor fan unit 112 isactivated by the switch, 113 in order to generate a flow of air. The airis sucked through the inlet opening 116 and the tube 117 thereby liftingthe flap 118. The particles of dirt which are sucked into the container111c are separated by the filter 119 and fall into the bottom of thecontainer 111c, that is, the area around the tube 117 which is normallyat the bottom of the container 111c, particularly when the cleaner 110is disposed on the carrier 125. The clean air flows through the inletpart 124 to the fan, after which it is blown to atmosphere through theopenings 115. When cleaning has been finished, the cleaner is replacedon the carrier 125.

At a suitable time during the normal cleaning work in a household duringwhich the floors and carpets are cleaned by a large vacuum cleaner, thecover 121 is opened, and the nozzle 122 of the large vacuum cleaner isconnected to the emptying opening 120. The dirt which is present in thecontainer 111c will be sucked out through the nozzle 122 and into thedust bag of the large vacuum cleaner. Since the volume of the dust bagin the large vacuum cleaner is several times larger than the volume ofthe container 111c in the battery powered hand-held suction cleaner 110,the dirt which is transferred will not cause any significant change involume of collected dirt in the dust bag. At the same time as the dirtis sucked from the container 111c, air will flow backwards through theopenings 115, the fan, the inlet part 124 and through the filter 119which means that dirt particles which are stuck to the filter will beentrained by the stream of air. This means that a simultaneous cleaningof the filter is effected. In addition, some air will be drawn into thecontainer 111c via the inlet opening 116.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the device differs somewhat from the aboveembodiment, in that emptying does not take place completely separatelyfrom the inlet opening 116. Also, the carrier 130 includes a channel 131which includes a channel pipe 134 extending outwardly beyond an abutmentsurface 135 against which the tip of the front part 111a and the inletopening 116 of the suction cleaner rest when it is placed on the carrier130. When the suction cleaner is carried by the carrier 130, the channelpipe 134 is surrounded by the tube 117 leading into the container and islong enough that it lifts the flap 118 from the end of the tube 117. Theend of the channel pipe 134 is preferably curved to one side so that itschannel inlet 133 is disposed in a plane parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the tube 117. The container includes a passage 136 whichconnects to the channel inlet 133 and extends downwards to the bottom ofthe container 111c. The passage 136 is formed against the outer wall ofthe tube 117 by a wall part 137.

The channel 131 also includes an outlet opening 132 which constitutesthe emptying opening to which a vacuum source is connectable foremptying the dust collector 111c.

The device operates in the following manner. When the battery-poweredsuction cleaner 110 is placed on the carrier 130, the end of the channelpipe 134 lifts the flap 118 at the same time as the channel inlet 133connects with the upper end of the passage 136 disposed within thecontainer 111c. During normal household cleaning, the nozzle 122 of alarge suction cleaner is coupled to the emptying opening 132 in the waydescribed above, so that dirt in the dust container 111c will be suckedout through the passage 136, and the channel 131 to the dust bag of thelarge suction cleaner.

It should also be mentioned that the invention can also be used whenemptying canister cleaners and upright suction cleaners by connectingthe emptying opening of the suction cleaner to a vacuum source, such asa central suction cleaner. The central suction cleaner typicallyincludes a large dust container and a fan unit located at a separateposition, usually outside the living area, and a hose with a nozzle canbe connected to the fan unit by means of a pipe system installed withinthe house or apartment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suction cleaning apparatus comprising:a primary cleaner including an air channel and a fan for sucking air and dust into the primary cleaner via the air channel; and a wheel-less, hand-held auxiliary cleaner for above-the-floor cleaning, the auxiliary cleaner having a dust collection chamber and an auxiliary fan unit, wherein the auxiliary cleaner is connectable to the primary cleaner in such a manner that the dust collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner is in communication with the primary cleaner via the air channel whereby, when connected to the primary cleaner during use of the primary cleaner, dust within the dust collection chamber is drawn into the air channel of the primary cleaner for collection.
 2. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the primary cleaner includes a body, and the auxiliary cleaner is mounted on the body of the primary cleaner to attach it to the primary cleaner.
 3. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes an access port opening into the dust collection chamber, and a valve for closing the port to retain dust within the dust collection chamber, the valve being operable to permit dust within the dust collection chamber to pass through the access port for collection within the primary cleaner.
 4. A suction cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the access port constitutes a collection inlet through which dust is collected into the dust collection chamber.
 5. A suction cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary cleaner further includes a collection inlet through which dust is drawn by the auxiliary cleaner, the collection inlet being separate from the access port.
 6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5, wherein, when the auxiliary cleaner is connected to the primary cleaner, the collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner constitutes part of the air channel.
 7. A suction cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the primary cleaner includes a collection opening at an upstream end of the air channel, and the collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner constitutes a part of the air channel downstream of the collection opening.
 8. A suction cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes an openable closure for closing the collection inlet.
 9. A suction cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the primary cleaner includes means for opening the valve when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.
 10. A suction cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the means for opening the valve is a spigot disposed in the air channel for pushing the valve open when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.
 11. A suction cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the means for opening the valve is an end of the air channel for pushing the valve open when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.
 12. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the primary cleaner includes a collection receptacle disposed between the air channel and the suction fan.
 13. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a handle which, when the auxiliary cleaner is connected to the primary cleaner, constitutes the handle of the primary cleaner.
 14. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the primary cleaner includes a power receiving terminal, and the auxiliary cleaner includes a power source for supplying power to the primary cleaner, and a power supplying terminal connectable to the power receiving terminal of the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto.
 15. A suction cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the power source is a power supply cable.
 16. A suction cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the power source is a socket for receiving a power supply cable.
 17. A suction cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a power transfer device for delivering power from the power supply cable to the primary cleaner alone when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner.
 18. A suction cleaner according to claim 17, wherein the transfer device is operable to deliver power from the power supply cable to the auxiliary cleaner alone when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to the primary cleaner.
 19. A suction cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery.
 20. A suction cleaner according to claim 19, including a recharger base unit to which the auxiliary cleaner is attachable.
 21. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, including a switch for selectively controlling power to the primary cleaner and to the auxiliary cleaner.
 22. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a switch for controlling power to the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto, and for controlling power to the auxiliary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is not attached to the primary cleaner.
 23. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the primary cleaner is an upright suction cleaner.
 24. A suction cleaner according to claim 23, wherein the air channel includes a collection hose.
 25. A suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the primary cleaner is a cylinder-type cleaner.
 26. A suction cleaner according to claim 25, wherein the air channel includes a collection hose.
 27. A suction cleaner according to claim 26, wherein the cylinder-type cleaner further includes a power cord disposed along the collection hose for conveying power to the cylinder cleaner from the auxiliary cleaner.
 28. A suction cleaning apparatus comprising:a primary cleaner including a body, an air channel and a fan for sucking air and dust into the primary cleaner via the air channel, and an auxiliary cleaner having a dust collection chamber and an auxiliary fan unit, wherein the auxiliary cleaner is connectable to the body of the primary cleaner in such a manner that the dust collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner is in communication with the primary cleaner via the air channel whereby, when connected to the primary cleaner during use of the primary cleaner, dust within the dust collection chamber is drawn into the air channel of the primary cleaner for collection.
 29. A suction cleaner according to claim 28, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes an access port opening into the dust collection chamber, and a valve for closing the port to retain dust within the dust collection chamber, the valve being operable to permit dust within the dust collection chamber to pass through the access port for collection within the primary cleaner.
 30. A suction cleaner according to claim 29, wherein the access port constitutes a collection inlet through which dust is collected into the dust collection chamber.
 31. A suction cleaner according to claim 29, wherein the auxiliary cleaner further includes a collection inlet through which dust is drawn by the auxiliary cleaner, the collection inlet being separate from the access port.
 32. A suction cleaner according to claim 31, wherein, when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner, the collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner constitutes part of the air channel.
 33. A suction cleaner according to claim 32, wherein the primary cleaner includes a collection opening at an upstream end of the air channel, and the collection chamber of the auxiliary cleaner constitutes a part of the air channel downstream of the collection opening.
 34. A suction cleaner according to claim 28, wherein the primary cleaner includes a power receiving terminal, and the auxiliary cleaner includes a power source for supplying power to the auxiliary cleaner, and a power supplying terminal connectable to the power receiving terminal of the primary cleaner when the auxiliary cleaner is attached thereto.
 35. A suction cleaner according to claim 34, wherein the auxiliary cleaner includes a power transfer device for delivering power from the power supply cable to the primary cleaner alone when the auxiliary cleaner is attached to the primary cleaner. 